Purple Day®: Supporting Canine Epilepsy Worldwide Blog Hop & Our New Epilepsy Book Release!


 
Today is International Purple Day® in support of Epilepsy across the world. I'm very proud to be an official Amabassador for my fourth consecutive year.Today, we are hosting our first annual Purple Day Blog Hop! Please sure to see how you can join in this very important event at the end of this post!



 
Each year, Gibson and I join in the worldwide effort of 
bringing awareness, education, information, resources, and support to people about Canine Epilepsy. We also hope to help dispel some of the fear associated with seizure disorders and to let folks know they are not alone. We are here for you and hope we can successfully steer you in the right direction for assistance.

What is Purple Day®?

According to PurpleDay.org, “Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008, motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy. Cassidy's goal is to get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia (EANS) came on board in 2008 to help develop Cassidy's idea, which is now known as the Purple Day for Epilepsy campaign. In 2009, the New York-based Anita Kaufmann Foundation and EANS joined forces to launch Purple Day internationally" to support Epilepsy worldwide.




 Epi-dogs are:
  • Sled Dogs
  • Skijoring Dogs
  • Bikjoring Dogs
  • Urban Mushing Dogs
  • Dock Diving Dogs
  • Show Dogs
  • Flyball Dogs
  • Hiking Dogs
  • Swimming Dogs
  • Jogging Companions
  • Picnic Fans
  • Frisbee Champs
  • Therapy Dogs
  • Service Dogs
  • Treat Lovers 
  • Travel Companions
  • Couch Potatoes
  • Our Best Friends


I'd like to once again share my FiveSibes Purple Day® video about Purple Day featuring some of these beautiful Epi-dogs from across the world sporting purple in honor of supporting Canine Epilepsy around the world:









Today also marks the formal release of my latest book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories about Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy (ArcticHouse Publishing). As many of you know, this has been a very special project near and dear to my heart that I've been working on for the past two years. The 264-page large coffee-style book contains 122 stories about, and color photographs of 124, amazing Epi-dogs from across the world, many you may already know! This book also contains an extensive resource list from my own library of research, as well as recommended resources, Canine Epilepsy comparative chart from past surveys I've conducted, informative quotes from veterinarians and fellow Epi-dog parents, and much more. It is my hope that through these stories and the resources included, anyone who is faced with Canine Epilepsy will never feel alone and have a "go to" resource book for helpful hints, tips, and resources. 

Gib with first copies hot off presses!
 

This book had a soft pre-release to those who had Epi-stars featured in the book and the reviews have been wonderful! My hope is that through this book, I can help others who may be going through what I did when Gibson first became an Epi-dog. A portion of sales will also help support the "Emma's Seizure Fund" through the Epil-K9 Foundation (home of the Canine Epilepsy Resources and Epil-K9 List), which is house at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.


 
Our Purple Day Epilepsy Awareness episode of "The Sibe Vibe" on Dog Works Radio featured Kimberley Matchem of Alberta, Canada, author of Confessions of a Rescue Mom blog, animal advocate, and Epi-dog mom to "Rolo," who is also one of the Epi-stars in my new book EPIc Dog Tales. We talk all about Canine Epilepsy advocacy, awareness, and outreach.  You can tune in here any time, or you can also listen to the this episode, as well as all of our past episodes on iTunes. And be sure to listen to the very end of the show when "Rolo" says "hi!"


Check Out Pets Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Dog Works Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio with Dog Works Radio Shows on BlogTalkRadio




Epi-star "Rolo" tuning in to show!
 
Another great resource is the Paws to People: Bridges to Cures (P2P) site. This grassroots organization based in New Mexico, is "committed to furthering comparative studies research in catastrophic diseases (such as Epilepsy, Cancer, etc.) to save the lives of humans and pets." Be sure to get on their newsletter, Pulse, mailing list, too! In this month's March  issue, check out my article "March Springs Hope for Epilepsy Awareness." Read full newsletter HERE.

Sneak peak at P2P's Pulse


This past September we started a survey to see what, if any, effects solar flares, lunar phases, and weather & atmospheric changes had on Epi-dogs. The results, which will be shared with North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for possible expanded study, has been bringing in very interesting results. If you have not yet taken the survey, please do take a moment and answer the one question HERE. Your replies are very important to us to get an idea of the type of effects these types of phenomena have on dogs with seizures.
 
  
 






In Honor of Epi-Dogs & Epi-Angels Worldwide



This year again we are featuring a Purple Day for (K9) Epilepsy 2015 Photo Album over on our FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page, so feel free to share your purple pics! It's a public community page, so even if you don't "do" Facebook, you are welcome to come visit and look around. We do hope you'll stop by and see these beautiful Epi-dogs from across the globe.







Gibson would like to remind anyone who would like to purchase a copy of our What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy book, a percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Canine Epilepsy Resources "Emma's Fund" through the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. To purchase a copy, visit our publishing website HERE. This book is a great tool for helping young children learn about epilepsy in a light, educational manner without any fear. It's also a favorite among Siberian Husky lovers of all ages!



It's All About the Treats, the Treats... 
(Update: House Woof is sadly no longer in business).
 


I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome House Woof K-9 Dog Biscuits to their second year as Purple Day Ambassadors! Representing Vermont, they have joined in the "Live Gib Strong" K-9 Epilepsy Awareness effort in many ways, including their development of our namesake dog treats, "Gibbie Snacks," formulated by House Woof with the Epi-dog in mind - never any salt, rosemary, wheat, or preservatives added and always made bakery fresh! PLUS - they donate $1/bag of "Gibbie Snacks" purchased to the The Wally Foundation for Canine Epilepsy that offers possible financial assistance to families, fosters, and rescues of dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy.

House Wolf is sadly no longer in business. We do miss their "Gibbie Snacks."




Time to join our Blog Hop & network Purple Day Canine Epilepsy Awareness with others!











Thank you so much for "going purple" with us and joining in our very special Purple Day® Blog Hop! Please post the badge above (go right ahead and cut & paste) and include a link back to our blog here, and don't forget to grab the code below to be sure your blog post is listed in the network! And then be sure to visit all the great blogs participating listed below to see what they are doing this Purple Day!
*Blog Hop Open All Week~Join in Any Time!*

Together, we CAN make a difference!




Comments

  1. Oh boy!!! I forgot it was today, not sure why I was thinking it wasn't for a couple days!!! WIll the hop still be open tomorrow? I can put it with Flashback Fridays if it is.
    Congrats on your book release too!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  2. Hi there. Thank you for hosting this blog hop. Epileptic animals can live long and happy lives with a little bit of help. Loving the information and Gibson is gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jessica, for stopping by! It's always wonderful to hear from a veterinarian, and I'm so thrilled you came by. Gibson thanks you, too!

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  3. Wonderful information! Your post is filled with hope and light! The White Dog Army is proud to share this blog hop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sue and WDA and thank you, too, for being a wonderful resource for others to go to and providing that "bridge." I'm glad we can be in this "fight" for awareness together! The Mighty Quinn is very proud of his momma! Together, we CAN do this!

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